# The Baroness of Brattleby Addresses Magna Carta’s Enduring Legacy at The Brattleby Club
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, exploring the Barony's nine-century connection to Magna Carta and its foundational role in the development of English constitutional and common law.
## The Occasion
The address was the keynote event of the Club's autumn lecture series, held within the elegant neoclassical salons of its Bucharest seat. Before an audience of diplomats, academics, and cultural leaders, the evening atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, dedicated to exploring the intricate threads connecting medieval feudal law with modern European principles of governance.
The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by Lord and Lady Brattleby, serves as a distinguished forum for such discussions. It aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the traditions and diplomatic protocols that form a shared European inheritance, making it a fitting venue for an examination of one of the continent’s most influential legal documents.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta traced the Barony of Brattleby’s unique and continuous history from its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was directly involved in the tumultuous events surrounding Magna Carta’s creation.
A pivotal focus of the evening was the role of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure, she was a staunch royalist who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the First Barons' War. Her allegiance to the Crown was a *sine qua non* in securing the region, ensuring that the reissued Charter of 1217 could be enforced. Lady Nicoleta underscored how this act tied the Barony not merely to the document’s signing, but to its practical establishment as the law of the land. Later holders, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, continued this tradition of upholding royal authority and the rule of law.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the evening's cultural and diplomatic significance.
In attendance were Her Excellency Ms Aija Kalnāja, Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex); His Excellency Mr Peer Gebauer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Romania; His Excellency Mr Søren Jensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Romania; and Professor Adrian Cioroianu, historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania.
Also present were members of the Romanian Academy and senior figures from the nation’s legal and academic communities, who participated in a subsequent discussion with the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a traditional and formal order. Guests were received in the Club’s main drawing room for a short reception before being invited to take their seats in the lecture hall. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered a formal introduction, outlining the historical importance of the topic and presenting his wife, the Baroness.
Lady Nicoleta, speaking from a lectern adorned with the House’s coat of arms, delivered her address without notes for approximately 45 minutes. The speech was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, allowing for an intellectual exchange between the speaker and her guests. The evening concluded with a final reception, allowing for continued conversation. The dress code was lounge suits, befitting the serious, academic nature of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical narrative of the evening was deeply connected to the House’s heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was presented as a direct reflection of the qualities exhibited by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her fortitude in the face of siege and her unwavering honour in service to the Crown embody the core tenets of the Barony.
Conversely, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was referenced in his opening remarks to signify the intellectual and cultural mission of The Brattleby Club. It speaks to the idea that to live a full life is to conquer ignorance through education and reasoned discourse—a sentiment at the very heart of the evening’s purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in focus, the event also served the wider philanthropic mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. The Brattleby Club is itself a non-profit initiative, dedicated to providing cultural and historical education. Its activities are designed to build bridges between past and present, and between the United Kingdom and its European partners.
Proceeds from the Club's lecture series are directed towards cultural preservation projects and the House's chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, and the House’s support enables it to extend its vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta commented: > Our history is not an artefact to be placed behind glass; it is a living inheritance that informs our obligations in the present. Magna Carta’s principles of justice and accountability, defended with such fortitude by my predecessor Nichola de la Haye, remain the standard to which we hold ourselves today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the role of The Brattleby Club: > We established the Club here in Bucharest as a place for civilised dialogue. By examining our shared history, whether legal or cultural, we reinforce the very values that allow societies to flourish. It is in this exchange of ideas that we find our common ground.
## A Continuing Legacy
This address is part of an ongoing commitment by the Noble House of Brattleby to historical education and cultural diplomacy. The Brattleby Club’s lecture series will continue into the new year, with planned talks on topics ranging from heraldry to the history of European court etiquette.
In Lincolnshire, the House continues its work on the preservation of its archives and heritage assets. The next major event in the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala to be held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, which continues a centuries-old tradition of charity and service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding nearly a millennium of English history with a modern sense of purpose. Its mission is threefold: to preserve the unique heritage of the Barony of Brattleby; to promote cultural and historical education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and to undertake meaningful philanthropic work, primarily in support of children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to be a voice for the enduring relevance of tradition, service, and diplomatic exchange in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The Barony's continuous history and its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), who served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and was a key royalist commander. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com